Amanda Lucidon

Amanda Lucidon is a former White House photographer known for documenting First Lady Michelle Obama

Amanda Lucidon served as an official White House photographer responsible for photographing First Lady Michelle Obama from 2013 to 2017. She is one of only a few female White House photographers in history and was the only woman photographer during her time in the Obama White House. She is also an award-winning documentarian, filmmaker, and former freelance New York Times photographer. Amanda’s work has been honored by Pictures of the Year International, National Press Photographers Association Best of Photojournalism, and the White House News Photographers Association, among others. She is a photographer, filmmaker, author, and public speaker based in Washington, D.C.

Chasing Light: Photographing Michelle Obama

Documenting a widely-admired and closely scrutinized individual is an immense responsibility, and one Amanda Lucidon fulfilled to great acclaim. This talk goes behind the scenes of some of the most powerful moments in Lucidon’s collection of photographs of the First Lady, revealing the triumphs and challenges of her work and showcasing a new side of this iconic public figure.

The Transformative Power of the Arts in Education

When Amanda Lucidon got the call to be a White House photographer, she thought it was a prank. She wasn’t a political photographer or a D.C. insider. In fact, Lucidon came from humble beginnings and worked her way from the bottom all the way to the top. She strongly believes that the gates of the White House opened for her because of the transformative power of the arts, education and mentorship. She now is using the arts to help educate and mentor young people in underserved communities as part of her tenure as a Turnaround Artist, a program sponsored by the Kennedy Center to encourage arts education as a pathway to success for struggling schools.

Creating Understanding Through Visual Imagery

As a documentary photographer and filmmaker, Amanda Lucidon has spent her career focusing on underreported stories and civil rights issues to encourage difficult conversations and create a deeper understanding. Lucidon will share her body of work and talk about the powerful impact of visual imagery on our past, present and future.

Lifting As We Climb: Empowering Women in Male-Dominated Fields

Amanda Lucidon is one of few women in history to work as a White House photographer. She was the only female photographer in the final four years of the Obama Administration. Throughout her career, Lucidon has become an inspiring leader in an industry that is typically dominated by men. She speaks candidly about her experiences and how women can lift others as we climb in our professions.

“This awesome collection of images reminds us of how powerful the role of First Lady has evolved to become. Michelle Obama’s optimistic outreach toward achievable goals—in education, environmental stewardship, and healthy living—gave people an infusion of hope and can-do encouragement. The photographs of Amanda Lucidon capture the sparkling moments of Michelle Obama’s memorable time in the White House. It is a joyous collection.”

– Meryl Streep

“Amanda’s talk wasn’t just a “talk,” it was an intimate conversation between herself and the audience in the room. She’s originally from Philadelphia and she referred over and over to this place being her home. She shared remarkable and heart wrenching photographs that have never been shown before to the public. She shared loss and grief, her daily hustle, and the excitement of working in the renowned White House under the greatest administration to serve America…It was an amazing conversation that I have never been more influenced from. Every word, every story made me feel something similar or something I could relate to in my own life… Thank you for sharing your resilience and your passion.”

– Temple University, Shefa Ahsan, Film Student

“Michelle Obama’s efforts redefined the role of First Lady and have left an imprint on the world like no other. As I turn through the pages of this beautiful book, I am reminded of the joy she shares with the world and the grace and humility she exudes. Her spirit and her legacy are captured in these photos.”

– Lonnie G. Bunch III, founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Smithsonian Institution

“As a member of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, I had the pleasure of seeing firsthand the wonderful effects of Michelle Obama’s work on behalf of underserved schoolchildren. Under her leadership, the classroom became an opportunity not just for learning, but also for innovation and creative expression.”

– Yo-Yo Ma

“Chasing Light is a remarkable and intimate behind-the-scenes look at one of the most influential icons of our time. Michelle Obama is dedicated, gracious, and humble. She has touched so many lives and continues to profoundly affect our world in the most genuine and positive ways. This book is an outstanding tribute to our beloved First Lady, and my friend, Michelle Obama.”